Golf ball marking system and method

ABSTRACT

A system and method for analyzing impact of a golf club with a golf ball to assess a golfer&#39;s golf club swing, equipment and/or alignment. A pattern is marked on an impact side of a golf ball with transferable ink. A face of a golf club is then aligned with the impact side of the golf ball wherein the pattern is square with the face of the golf club. Subsequently, the golf club is swung, impacting the impact side of the golf ball with the face of the golf club. Upon impact, the pattern marked on the impact side of the golf ball is transferred to the face of the golf club. The transferred pattern on the face of the golf club is then analyzed to assess the golfer&#39;s golf club swing, equipment and/or alignment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority from Provisional Application No.60/511,819, filed Oct. 16, 2003 for “Golf Ball Marking System andMethod” by Jeffrey C. Murray.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a golf ball marking system and methodof use thereof. In particular, the invention relates to a system andmethod for analyzing the impact between a golf ball and a golf club toassess a user's golf club swing, equipment and/or alignment.

Golf is a unique sport that requires both power and precision, andincludes many levels of instruction with strict attention to detail.Indeed, no other recreational sport is dominated by professionalteachers and instructors the way that golf is. Golf requires accuratefeedback to assess a player's game, and while it is possible to practicevarious techniques, it is impossible to see if those techniques arebeing performed properly. Thus, the majority of golfers tend to practicetheir mistakes. Many training aids and swing aids have been introducedto reinforce golf fundamentals and refinements that will hopefully leadto better play.

A major breakthrough for all golfers is achieving consistent center-facecontact between the club head and the ball. A club struck solidly nearits center of gravity (CG) generally results in longer and straighterhits. The ball goes farther because the club's moment of inertia (MI),or resistance to twisting, is greatest and delivers more energy to theball. In addition, a center-struck club generally hits the ballstraighter because the middle of the face is more square at impact thanthe toe or heel area of the club face. Enterprising golfers have longknown this and have used different methods and impact marking devicesfor determining the ideal contact point on the golf club's face.

The ability to determine impact location between the golf ball and thegolf club as precisely as possible is becoming more important as theaverage head size of golf clubs increases. Improved driver technologyhas allowed designers to create larger models with larger hittingsurfaces and “hot spots”. For example, in the 1970s, drivers wereconstructed out of laminated wood or persimmon, and head size wasapproximately 150 cubic centimeters (cc). However, today's drivers havebecome increasingly larger and have an average head size beginning atapproximately 300 cc and increasing up to a maximum of 460 cc. Further,today's drivers are constructed of metal such as titanium rather thanwood. In general, a driver having a larger face results in a more“forgiving” club, particularly with off-center hits.

With the increased head size of drivers, it has been determined that thegeographic center of the driver face may not be the most desirable placeto make contact with the golf ball. The center of gravity for largemodel drivers varies from model to model thereby resulting in different“hot spot” locations for the driver depending upon the model. The “hotspot” location of a driver is the area of impact on the driver faceproviding maximum driving distance, which may be the geographic centerof the face, high and toward the heel of the face, high and toward thetoe of the face, high and midway up, at the extreme toe of the face,midway up and toward the toe of the face, high and toward the heel, ortoeward. Thus, the location of the center of gravity for drivers has awide distribution between models. Therefore, the larger the club face,the more critical it is to know the location of its center gravity and“hot spot,” and the more beneficial it is to know where a golfer'simpact tendency is in relation to these areas.

Further, modern shafts for golf clubs are made from graphite, which islighter than steel, and helps the player to generate more club headspeed. However, graphite shafts tend to posses a spine where a portionof the shaft, longitudinally, is stiffer along one plane, which resultsin inconsistencies from shaft to shaft. One concern with shaftinconsistencies is “droop,” which is the amount the shaft flexes atimpact along a vertical plane measured in degrees. A player should befitted to a shaft flex that matches his or her swing speed and tempo,but droop must also be considered. Too much (or not enough) droop atimpact effects a golfer's ability to make center-face contact. Thus, theability to measure and quantify club shaft droop benefits golfersseeking more consistent solid contact with the golf ball.

There is a need for golfers to have the ability to determine preciseball to club face contact such that they may determine the “hot spot” ofvarious driver makes and models, but also determine the ideal shaftcombination that consistently squares up their club face impact with thegolf ball. However, current impact measuring devices are inaccurate anddo not have versatile applicability.

Examples of impact marking devices currently used include masking tapeapplied to the club face to compare the impact contact with the centerof the club, whereby the masking tape records a dimple that approximateswhere contact has been made. Another example includes a crack-and-peallabel that attaches to the club face to record an impact mark thatchanges in intensity. Other impact marking devices include a removableform of stretched leather, and a reusable liquid crystal pad, thatdarkens for a few seconds after impact. Both of these tools include padsor patches affixed to the club face to record contact point between theclub and the golf ball. Finally, spray powders and paints are used asimpact marking devices that spray onto the club face and dry, wherebycontact with a golf ball during a swing reveal the contact point betweenthe golf ball and golf club.

All of the current impact marking devices are tools that are applied tothe club face to determine the impact location and only give a generalidea of impact location. Further, there are several disadvantages to thecurrent impact marking devices that are applied to the club face. First,the existing products are not legal for play in sanctioned eventsaccording to the United States Golf Association (USGA). Second, currentimpact marking devices are messy, for example, tapes will stick to theclub face and spray paints and powders will splatter on hands, fingers,and other immediate surroundings. Third, current products are bulky andinconvenient to store because weight and space preclude toting them in agolf bag. Fourth, current products are imprecise because the impactmarks are roughly the size of a compressed golf ball which exceeds thecenter of gravity for most golf clubs. Fifth, the impact marking devicesare expensive and often fail to last an extended period of time beyond apractice round. Sixth, the current impact marking devices lackversatility and are typically designed for a specific type of club suchas a driver, iron, or putter. Seventh, the current products must beapplied to the club face instead of the ball, which can adversely affectthe ball flight by imparting inconstant ball spin at impact.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a system and method for analyzing impact of agolf club with a golf ball to assess a golfer's golf club swing,equipment and/or alignment. A pattern is marked on an impact side of agolf ball with transferable ink. Then a face of a golf club is alignedwith the impact side of the golf ball wherein the pattern is square withthe face of the golf club. Subsequently, the golf club is swung,impacting the impact side of the golf ball with the face of the golfclub. Upon impact, the pattern marked on the impact side of the golfball is transferred to the face of the golf club. The transferredpattern on the face of the golf club is then analyzed to assess thegolfer's golf club swing, equipment and/or alignment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf ball marking system for analyzingimpact between a golf ball and a golf club.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a golf ball with a pattern guidepartially encasing the golf ball illustrating one way for marking thegolf ball.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a golf ball marked with the markingsystem shown in FIG. 1 and positioned on a tee.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the golf ball with one embodiment of a markthereon.

FIGS. 5A-5C are side views of a head of the golf club illustrating threeversions of the mark from the golf ball of FIG. 4 transferred onto aface of the golf club.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the golf ball with one embodiment of a markthereon.

FIGS. 7A-7C are side views of a head of the golf club illustrating threeversions of the mark from the golf ball of FIG. 6 transferred onto aface of the golf club.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the golf ball with one embodiment of a markthereon.

FIGS. 9A-9C are side views of a head of the golf club illustrating threeversions of the mark from the golf ball of FIG. 8 transferred onto aface of the golf club.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the golf ball with one embodiment of a markthereon.

FIGS. 11A-11C are side views of a head of the golf club illustratingthree versions of the mark from the golf ball of FIG. 10 transferredonto a face of the golf club.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the golf ball with one embodiment of a markthereon.

FIGS. 13A-13C are side views of a head of the golf club illustratingthree versions of the mark from the golf ball of FIG. 12 transferredonto a face of the golf club.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the golf ball with one embodiment of a markthereon.

FIGS. 15A-15D are side views of a head of the golf club illustratingthree versions of the mark from the golf ball of FIG. 14 transferredonto a face of the golf club.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the golf ball with one embodiment of a markthereon.

FIGS. 17A-17C are side views of a head of the golf club illustratingthree versions of the mark from the golf ball of FIG. 16 transferredonto a face of the golf club.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the golf ball with one embodiment of a markthereon.

FIGS. 19A-19E are side views of a head of a putter illustrating versionsof the mark from the golf ball of FIG. 18 transferred onto a face of theputter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf ball marking system 10 foranalyzing impact between a golf ball and a golf club. System 10 includespattern guide 12, markers 14 (including permanent marker 14 a, warmweather non-permanent transferable markerer 14 b, cool weathernon-permanent transferable markerer 14 c, and non-permanent transferablemarker 14 d), and instruction guide 16.

Pattern guide 12 is used to provide a template to assist a golfer inmarking a golf ball. Pattern guide 12 is made of a solid material andincludes a guide for marking various patterns on a golf ball (describedin more detail herein). Pattern guide 12 is typically hemisphericallyshaped, but may have any shape that is conducive to marking a pattern onthe golf ball. Pattern guide 12 has a size and curvature to partiallyencase the golf ball when placed on the golf ball. This insures thatpattern guide 12 does not shift while marking the golf ball.

Markers 14 include permanent marker 14 a, warm weather non-permanentmarker 14 b, cool weather non-permanent marker 14 c, and non-permanentmarker 14 d. Permanent marker 14 a places a permanent mark on the golfball for identification of the golf ball and for alignment of the golfball with a tee or a golf club. Warm weather non-permanent transferablemarker 14 b places a non-permanent transferable mark on the golf balland is for use in temperatures above 55° F. Cool weather non-permanenttransferable markerer 14 c places a non-permanent transferable marker onthe golf ball and is for use in temperatures below 55° F. Non-permanenttransferable markerer 14 d places a non-permanent transferable marker onthe golf ball and is formulated for impact analysis with putters.Markers 14 are preferably provided in an end-to-end configuration to asshown to allow for easy transportability in a golf bag or the like.

Instruction guide 16 instructs the golfer how to use golf ball markingsystem 10. In particular, instruction guide 16 includes instructions onhow to mark a golf ball using system 10, what types of marks may be madeon the golf ball for swing, equipment, and ball striking alignmentanalysis, and how to interpret the mark that is transferred from thegolf ball to the golf club. Further detail of the process of analyzingthe mark that is transferred from the golf ball to the golf club isprovided herein.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of golf ball 20 with pattern guide 12partially encasing golf ball 20 illustrating one way for marking golfball 20. To mark the ball, pattern guide 12 to is placed over golf ball20 such that pattern guide 12 at least partially encases golf ball 20,as shown. As stated above, pattern guide 12 is typically hemisphericalin shape to encase about half of golf ball 20. In FIG. 2, mark 22 (whichin this case is a dot) is shown being drawn on golf ball 20 by fillingdot template 24 of pattern guide 12 using marker 14. Pattern guide 12 istypically held in place on golf ball 20 by the golfer's thumb or finger.Also provided on pattern guide 12 is line template 26 to permit thegolfer to draw lines or other geometric configurations on golf ball 20.The template used to mark golf ball 20 is selected based upon thedesired swing, equipment, and/or alignment analysis provided ininstruction guide 16. Preferably, golf ball 20 is marked along the seamof golf ball 20 and in between the dimples of golf ball 20. Whilepattern guide 12 insures that straight lines. Of course, golf ball 20may also be marked without the use of a guide.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of golf ball 20 marked with mark 22positioned on tee 30. Mark 22 is provided on the “impact side” of golfball 20 and is positioned so as to be centered above tee 30 andsubstantially centered in a plane parallel to the ground. Alignment line32 is also shown in FIG. 3. Alignment line 32 is provided along anequator of golf ball 20 and is preferably drawn on golf ball 20 usingpermanent ink (such as with permanent marker 14 a). Alignment line 32aids the golfer in centering mark 22 over tee 30 and in drawing mark 22on golf ball 20.

After appropriately positioning golf ball 20 on tee 30, the golferselects a club for swing, equipment, and/or alignment analysis. Thegolfer then swings the golf club so as to impact the impact side of golfball 20 with the face of the golf club. The pattern marked on the impactside of golf ball 20 (mark 22 in FIG. 3) is transferred to the face ofthe golf club. The golfer subsequently analyzes the transferred patternon the face of the golf club to assess the golfer's golf club swing,equipment and/or alignment.

The following figures show and describe various marks that may be madeon golf ball 20 to assess different aspects of the golfer's game.Further, the following figures show the impact mark as transferred to agolf club at various locations and in various configurations. The golfclub is shown in the following figures is a right-handed club, but itwill be appreciated that the marks have the same applicability with aleft-handed club. It will also be appreciated that the marks shown anddescribed herein are merely exemplary, and any mark which may be used toanalyze the golfer's swing, equipment, and/or alignment is contemplatedby the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of golf ball 20 with mark 40 thereon. Mark 40comprises a dot or a small filled circle. Mark 40 is used to determinethe point of impact of the center of golf ball 20 on the club face.After the golfer swings the golf club so as to impact the impact side ofgolf ball 20 with the face of the golf club head, mark 40 marked on theimpact side of golf ball 20 is transferred to the face of the golf club.

FIGS. 5A-5C are side views of mark 40 transferred onto face 42 of golfclub head 44. Golf club head 44 is shown as a driver or wood club head,but mark 40 may be used for analysis in conjunction with any type ofgolf club, including irons, wedges, and putters. The transferred marksare shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C as transferred marks 45 a, 45 b, and45 c, respectively. Transferred mark 45 a shows that the golfer impactedgolf ball 20 with face 42 near toe 46 of golf club head 44. Transferredmark 45 b shows that the golfer impacted golf ball 20 at an ideallocation, near a center of face 42 of golf club head 44. Transferredmark 45 c shows that the golfer impacted golf ball 20 with face 42 nearheel 48 of golf club head 44. Based on the transferred mark, the golfermay subsequently adjust his or her swing, stance, and/or grip, ifnecessary, to impact golf ball 20 as near to the center of face 42 aspossible (which is typically where the “hot spot” of the golf club islocated).

FIG. 6 is a side view of golf ball 20 with mark 50 thereon. Mark 50comprises three parallel horizontal lines. Mark 50 is used to determinethe angle of impact of the club face when the club face strikes golfball 20. After the golfer swings the golf club so as to impact theimpact side of golf ball 20 with the face of the golf club head, mark 50marked on the impact side of golf ball 20 is transferred to the face ofthe golf club.

FIGS. 7A-7C are side views of mark 50 transferred onto face 42 of golfclub head 44. Golf club head 44 is shown as a driver or wood club head,but mark 50 may be used for analysis in conjunction with other types ofgolf clubs, including irons and wedges. The transferred marks are shownin FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C as transferred marks 55 a, 55 b, and 55 c,respectively. Transferred mark 55 a shows that the golfer impacted golfball 20 with face 42 at too steep of an angle, with face 42 angledtoward the ground. This results in transferred mark 55 a wherein the topline transfers completely while the other two lines transfer lesscompletely, indicating that the top of club face 42 struck golf ball 20more solidly than the bottom of club face 42. Transferred mark 55 bshows that the golfer impacted golf ball 20 at an ideal angle, whereinthe club face was angled properly relative to golf ball 20 (i.e.,substantially parallel to the ground). Thus, all three lines transfercompletely to face 42. Transferred mark 55 c shows that the golferimpacted golf ball 20 with face 42 at too shallow of an angle, with face42 angled away from the ground. This results in transferred mark 55 cwherein the bottom line transfers completely while the other two linestransfer less completely, indicating that the bottom of club face 42struck golf ball 20 more solidly than the top of club face 42. Based onthe transferred mark, the golfer may subsequently adjust his or herswing, stance, and/or grip, if necessary, to impact golf ball 20 withface 42 at as an ideal of an angle of impact as possible.

FIG. 8 is a side view of golf ball 20 with mark 60 thereon. Mark 60comprises three parallel vertical lines. Mark 60 is used to determinethe swing path of the golf club when the club face strikes golf ball 20.After the golfer swings the golf club so as to impact the impact side ofgolf ball 20 with the face of the golf club head, mark 60 marked on theimpact side of golf ball 20 is transferred to the face of the golf club.

FIGS. 9A-9C are side views of mark 60 transferred onto face 42 of golfclub head 44. Golf club head 44 is shown as a driver or wood club head,but mark 60 may be used for analysis in conjunction with other types ofgolf clubs, including irons and wedges. The transferred marks are shownin FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C as transferred marks 65 a, 65 b, and 65 c,respectively. Transferred mark 65 a shows that the golfer impacted golfball 20 with face 42 open, with face 42 impacting golf ball 20 left ofcenter and/or with golf club head 44 turned to the right. For aright-handed golfer, golf ball 20 will either start to the left and veerright, or start to the right and veer further right. This type of impactresults in transferred mark 65 a wherein the line nearest the heel ofgolf club head 44 transfers completely while the other two linestransfer less completely. Transferred mark 65 b shows that the golferimpacted golf ball 20 with an ideal swing path, wherein club face 42impacts golf ball 20 correctly. Thus, all three lines transfercompletely to face 42. Transferred mark 65 c shows that the golferimpacted golf ball 20 with face 42 closed, impacting golf ball 20 rightof center and/or with golf club head 44 turned to the left. For aright-handed golfer, golf ball 20 will either start to the left and veerfurther left, or start to the right and veer to the left. This type ofimpact results in transferred mark 65 c wherein the line nearest the toeof golf club head 44 transfers completely while the other two linestransfer less completely. Based on the transferred mark, the golfer maysubsequently adjust his or her swing, stance, and/or grip, if necessary,to impact golf ball 20 along an ideal swing path.

FIG. 10 is a side view of golf ball 20 with mark 70 thereon. Mark 70comprises a single horizontal line. Mark 70 is used to determine the lieangle of the golf club when the club face strikes golf ball 20. Afterthe golfer swings the golf club so as to impact the impact side of golfball 20 with the face of the golf club head, mark 70 marked on theimpact side of golf ball 20 is transferred to the face of the golf club.

FIGS. 11A-11C are side views of mark 70 transferred onto face 72 of golfclub head 74. Golf club head 74 is shown as an iron or wedge club head,but mark 70 may be used for analysis in conjunction with other types ofgolf clubs. The transferred marks are shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11Cas transferred marks 75 a, 75 b, and 75 c, respectively. Transferredmark 75 a shows that the golfer impacted golf ball 20 with the toe ofgolf club head 74 down. This type of impact results in transferred mark75 a wherein the line slopes down from the toe to the heel of golf clubhead 74. Transferred mark 75 b shows that the golfer impacted golf ball20 with an ideal lie angle, which results in a line parallel with thebottom of golf club head 74. Transferred mark 75 c shows that the golferimpacted golf ball 20 with the toe of golf club head 74 up. This type ofimpact results in transferred mark 75 c wherein the line slopes up fromthe toe to the heel of golf club head 74. Based on the transferred mark,the golfer may subsequently adjust his or her swing, stance, and/orgrip, if necessary, to impact golf ball 20 along an ideal lie angle.

FIG. 12 is a side view of golf ball 20 with mark 80 thereon. Mark 80comprises a plurality of concentric circles. Mark 80 is used todetermine the angle of impact of the golf club when the club facestrikes golf ball 20. After the golfer swings the golf club so as toimpact the impact side of golf ball 20 with the face of the golf clubhead, mark 80 marked on the impact side of golf ball 20 is transferredto the face of the golf club.

FIGS. 13A-13C are side views of mark 80 transferred onto face 72 of golfclub head 74. Golf club head 74 is shown as an iron or wedge club head,but mark 80 may be used for analysis in conjunction with other types ofgolf clubs. The transferred marks are shown in FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13Cas transferred marks 85 a, 85 b, and 85 c, respectively. Transferredmark 85 a shows that the golfer impacted golf ball 20 with face 72 attoo steep of an angle, with face 72 angled toward the ground. Thisresults in transferred mark 85 a wherein the top of the concentriccircles transfers completely while the bottom of the concentric circlestransfers less completely, indicating that the top of club face 72struck golf ball 20 more solidly than the bottom of club face 72.Transferred mark 85 b shows that the golfer impacted golf ball 20 at anideal angle, wherein the club face was angled properly relative to golfball 20 (i.e., substantially parallel to the ground). Thus, theconcentric circles transfer completely to face 72. Transferred mark 85 cshows that the golfer impacted golf ball 20 with face 72 at too shallowof an angle, with face 72 angled away from the ground. This results intransferred mark 85 c wherein the bottom of the concentric circlestransfers completely while the top of the concentric circles transfersless completely, indicating that the bottom of club face 72 struck golfball 20 more solidly than the top of club face 72. Based on thetransferred mark, the golfer may subsequently adjust his or her swing,stance, and/or grip, if necessary, to impact golf ball 20 with face 72at as an ideal of an angle of impact as possible.

FIG. 14 is a side view of golf ball 20 with mark 90 thereon. Mark 90comprises a horizontal line and a vertical line which intersect at theirrespective center points (i.e., a cross). Mark 90 is used to determinethe point of impact of the center of golf ball 20 on the club face andto determines the lie angle of the golf club when the club face strikesgolf ball 20. After the golfer swings the golf club so as to impact theimpact side of golf ball 20 with the face of the golf club head, mark 90marked on the impact side of golf ball 20 is transferred to the face ofthe golf club.

FIGS. 15A-15D are side views of mark 90 transferred onto face 72 of golfclub head 74. Golf club head 74 is shown as an iron or wedge club head,but mark 90 may be used for analysis in conjunction with other types ofgolf clubs. The transferred marks are shown in FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C, and15D as transferred marks 95 a, 95 b, 95 c, and 95 d, respectively.Transferred mark 95 a shows that the golfer impacted golf ball 20 withface 72 near toe 76 of golf club head 74, but at an ideal lie angle(since the horizontal line of the cross is parallel with the bottom ofgolf club head 74). Transferred mark 95 b shows that the golfer impactedgolf ball 20 at an ideal location with and ideal lie angle, near acenter of face 72 of golf club head 74. Transferred mark 95 c shows thatthe golfer impacted golf ball 20 with face 72 near heel 78 of golf clubhead 74, but at an ideal lie angle. Transferred mark 95 d shows that thegolfer impacted golf ball 20 with face 72 at an ideal location (near thecenter) with the toe of golf club head 74 up (since the line slopes upfrom toe 76 to heel 78 of golf club head 74). While all combinations arenot shown for conciseness, mark 90 will show the golfer both the pointof impact and the lie angle simultaneously. Based on the transferredmark, the golfer may subsequently adjust his or her swing, stance,and/or grip, if necessary, to impact golf ball 20 along an ideal lieangle.

FIG. 16 is a side view of golf ball 20 with mark 100 thereon. Mark 100comprises a plurality of concentric circles (preferably three). Mark 100is used to determine the amount of compression of golf ball 20 thatoccurs when the club face impacts golf ball 20. After the golfer swingsthe golf club so as to impact the impact side of golf ball 20 with theface of the golf club head, mark 100 marked on the impact side of golfball 20 is transferred to the face of the golf club.

FIGS. 17A-17C are side views of mark 100 transferred onto face 102 ofgolf club head 104. Golf club head 104 is shown as a driver or wood clubhead, but mark 100 may be used for analysis in conjunction with any typeof golf club. The transferred marks are shown in FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17Cas transferred marks 105 a, 105 b, and 105 c, respectively. Transferredmark 105 a shows that when the golfer impacted golf ball 20 with face72, a large amount of compression of golf ball 20 occurred, since allthree concentric circles transferred from golf ball 20. This indicatesthat the hardness of the golf ball used by the golfer is likelyinsufficient for the golfer's style of play. Transferred mark 105 bshows that when the golfer impacted golf ball 20 with face 72, apreferred amount of compression occurred since two of the concentriccircles transferred to face 72. This indicates that the hardness of thegolf ball used by the golfer is appropriate for the golfer's style ofplay. Transferred mark 105 c shows that when the golfer impacted golfball 20 with face 72, very little compression of golf ball 20 occurred,since only one concentric circle transferred from golf ball 20. Thisindicates that the golf ball used by the golfer is likely too hard forthe golfer's style of play. Based on the transferred mark, the golfermay subsequently change the type of ball used to better suit his or herstyle of play.

FIG. 18 is a side view of golf ball 20 with mark 110 thereon. Mark 110comprises a single vertical line. Mark 110 is used to determine thepoint of impact of golf ball 20 that occurs when a putter face impactsgolf ball 20. After the golfer swings the putter so as to impact theimpact side of golf ball 20 with the putter face, mark 110 marked on theimpact side of golf ball 20 is transferred to the putter face.

FIGS. 19A-19E are side views of mark 1 10 transferred onto face 112 ofputter 114. The transferred marks are shown in FIGS. 19A, 19B, 19C, 19D,and 19E as transferred marks 115 a, 115 b, 115 c, 115 d, and 115 e,respectively. Transferred mark 115 a shows that the golfer impacted golfball 20 with face 112 near toe 116 of putter 114. Transferred mark 115 bshows that the golfer impacted golf ball 20 at an ideal location, near acenter of face 112 of putter 114. Transferred mark 115 c shows that thegolfer impacted golf ball 20 with face 112 near heel 118 of putter 114.Transferred mark 115 d shows that the golfer impacted golf ball 20 withface 112 at top 120 of putter 114. Transferred mark 115 e shows that thegolfer impacted golf ball 20 with face 112 near at bottom 122 of putter114. Based on the transferred mark, the golfer may subsequently adjusthis or her putting stroke, if necessary, to impact golf ball 20 as nearto the center of face 112 as possible.

In summary, the ability to determine impact location between the golfball and the golf club as precisely as possible is becoming moreimportant as the average head size of golf clubs increases. Currentimpact measuring devices, such as masking tape applied to the club face,crack-and-peal labels, removable stretched leather, reusable liquidcrystal pads, spray powders, and spray paints, are inaccurate and do nothave versatile applicability. The present invention provides an impactmarking device that resolves the problems associated with the currentproducts. The present invention is a system and method for analyzingimpact of a golf club with a golf ball to assess a golfer's golf clubswing, equipment and/or alignment. A pattern is marked on an impact sideof a golf ball with transferable ink. Then a face of a golf club isaligned with the impact side of the golf ball wherein the pattern issquare with the face of the golf club. Subsequently, the golf club isswung, impacting the impact side of the golf ball with the face of thegolf club. Upon impact, the pattern marked on the impact side of thegolf ball is transferred to the face of the golf club. The transferredpattern on the face of the golf club is then analyzed to assess thegolfer's golf club swing, equipment and/or alignment. The presentinvention is inexpensive, may be used multiple times over an extendedperiod of time, is versatile for use between different types of clubs,and provides various types of information for the golfers to analyzebeyond just the contact point between the golf ball and the golf club.

Although the present invention has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges maybe made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

1. A method for analyzing impact of a golf club with a golf ball toassess a golfer's golf club swing, equipment and/or alignment, themethod comprising: marking a pattern on an impact side of a golf ballwith transferable ink; aligning a face of a golf club with the impactside of the golf ball wherein the pattern is square with the face of thegolf club; swinging the golf club; impacting the impact side of the golfball with the face of the golf club wherein the pattern marked on theimpact side of the golf ball is transferred to the face of the golfclub; and analyzing a transferred pattern on the face of the golf clubto assess the golfer's golf club swing, equipment and/or alignment. 2.The method of claim 1 wherein marking the pattern on the golf ballfurther comprises aligning a pattern guide on the golf ball to mark thepattern on the impact side of the golf ball.
 3. The method of claim 1,and further comprising placing the golf ball on a tee to elevate thegolf ball and square the marked pattern on the golf ball with the faceof the golf club.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein analyzing thetransferred pattern further comprises using a comparison guide toanalyze the transferred pattern with known results to assess thegolfer's golf club swing, equipment and/or alignment.
 5. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the marked pattern is a filled circle.
 6. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the marked pattern is at least one vertical line.
 7. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the marked pattern is at least one horizontalline.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the marked pattern includes atleast one vertical line.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the markedpattern is at least two concentric circles.
 10. The method of claim 1wherein the marked pattern is a geometric pattern.
 11. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the transferable ink is permanent.
 12. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the transferable ink is non-permanent.
 13. A method forassessing a golfer's golf club swing, golf equipment and/or alignment byanalyzing impact of a golf club with a golf ball, the method comprising:marking an impact side of a golf ball with a first mark usingtransferable ink; aligning a face of a golf club with the impact side ofthe golf ball; swinging the golf club; hitting the impact side of thegolf ball with the golf club face wherein the first mark on the golfball is transferred to the golf club face to create a second mark on thegolf club face; and analyzing the second mark with respect to aninstruction guide including known transferred marks to assess thegolfer's golf club swing, golf equipment and/or alignment.
 14. Themethod of claim 13 wherein the first mark is a filled circle forassessing alignment of the golf club face with the golf ball.
 15. Themethod of claim 13 wherein the first mark is a plurality of horizontallines for assessing an angle of hitting the impact side of the golf ballwith the golf club face.
 16. The method of claim 13 wherein the firstmark is a plurality of vertical lines for assessing a swing path of thegolf club.
 17. The method of claim 13 wherein the first mark is a linefor assessing a lie angle for a head of the golf club and for assessingalignment of the golf club face with the golf ball.
 18. The method ofclaim 13 wherein the first mark includes a vertical line and ahorizontal line intersecting at their respective center points, thefirst mark for assessing a lie angle for a head of the golf club and forassessing alignment of the golf club face with the golf ball.
 19. Themethod of claim 13 wherein the first mark is a plurality of concentriccircles for assessing an angle of hitting the impact side of the golfball with the golf club face and for assessing compression of the golfball.
 20. The method of claim 13 wherein marking the impact side of thegolf ball further comprises aligning a pattern on the golf ball fordefining the first mark.
 21. The method of claim 13, and furthercomprising placing the golf ball on a tee to elevate the golf ball andsquare the first mark on the golf ball with the golf club face.
 22. Amethod for analyzing impact of a golf club with a golf ball to assess agolfer's golf club swing, equipment and/or alignment, the methodcomprising: marking an impact side of a golf ball with transferable inkto define a first mark; swinging a golf club wherein a face of the golfclub is aligned with the impact side of the golf ball such that the faceof the golf club contacts the impact side of the golf ball and the firstmark on the golf ball is transferred to the face of the golf club tocreate a second mark on the face of the golf club; and analyzing thesecond mark to assess the golfer's golf club swing, equipment and/oralignment.
 23. The method of claim 22 wherein the first mark is a filledcircle for assessing alignment of the golf club face with the golf ball.24. The method of claim 22 wherein the first mark is a plurality ofhorizontal lines for assessing an angle of hitting the impact side ofthe golf ball with the golf club face.
 25. The method of claim 22wherein the first mark is a plurality of vertical lines for assessingthe golfer's swing path of the golf club.
 26. The method of claim 22wherein the first mark is a line for assessing a lie angle for a head ofthe golf club and for assessing alignment of the golf club face with thegolf ball.
 27. The method of claim 22 wherein the first mark includes avertical line and a horizontal line intersecting at their respectivecenter points, the first mark for assessing a lie angle for a head ofthe golf club and for assessing alignment of the golf club face with thegolf ball.
 28. The method of claim 22 wherein the first mark is aplurality of concentric circles for assessing an angle of hitting theimpact side of the golf ball with the golf club face and for assessingcompression of the golf ball.
 29. The method of claim 22 wherein markingthe impact side of the golf ball further comprises aligning a patternfor defining the first mark on the golf ball.
 30. An impact analyzersystem for golfers, the system comprising: a marker of transferable inkfor marking a golf ball with a first mark; and a guide detailingselectable configurations of the first mark.
 31. The system of claim 30,and further comprising at least one tee for holding the golf ball suchthat the first mark is aligned with a golf club face.
 32. The system ofclaim 30, and further comprising a template for aligning with the golfball, the template defining a pattern for at least the first mark. 33.The system of claim 30, wherein the guide provides interpretation of asecond mark on a golf club face produced by transfer of the ink from thegolf ball to the golf club face upon impact.